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new to me NH C238

CMC76

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Joined
Mar 16, 2019
Messages
42
Location
Wisconsin
im sure some of my questions will be found in a manual once it arrives, but figured i would jump right in.
I am around plenty of equipment, but was time to pull the trigger on something for my personal use.
I picked up a 2011 C238 yesterday. Just under 3k hours. I spent better part of the afternoon in it to see how it operated before haggling. Runs well, cab is fully loaded. Few dings and scratches. tracks are about 70%, i could not find any play in any of the components even when using a small breaker bar. I will be using it for grading, material handling, likely put a grapple on it for logs. My few things id like to get to soon are:
- cleaning. Since it will be a machine on my property, id like to get into a clean machine. subjective question, but how much can i get the cab interior wet before i cause a problem? i realize open cabs get wet, but i dont want to create a gremlin
- JVC radio powers up fine, static on all channels. needs an antenna i would think. there is an aux plug on the unit for head phones i am guessing, and another in the headliner a few inches away. is this an aux input?
- when using the hand throttle, increase rpm works fine, as well as with the foot pedal. but sometimes the foot pedal needs to be pulled up to reduce rpm. is there a return spring or something? or likely just mud fell into the linkage?
-the machine will eventually be moved to a remote piece of property. I will store it in a connex once i bring it out. but until i get a manual, is there any simple way to engage the anti theft lockout?
I am sure i will come up with other questions, but thanks for any input.
 

KSSS

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Feb 27, 2005
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Location
Idaho
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excavation
The ISO switch: turn the power on but don't start. Hold the pattern select button and it will light up you are then ready to start the machine. Make sure the aux. flow switch is neutral in position. The machine will not switch patterns if the aux. is locked in the on position.

The return on the foot pedal. I have not seen that happen. I would clean the machine and see what happens. I am not sure if there is a return spring but it would make sense that it would.

I would not get the interior wet. There was an issue with water getting in the fuse box on early Alpha/C machines which is by your left leg as your sitting in the machine.

As to the input, I believe that is for headphones but I have never used it.
 

CMC76

Active Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2019
Messages
42
Location
Wisconsin
thanks for the help. Ill plan on cleaning it out without the hose.
Few more followups. Right below the Hpattern ISO selector, there is a radial knob. What is that for?
and if i wanted to add power for additional lighting, or a phone charger, where is a good place to source power from?
 

KSSS

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Idaho
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excavation
My SSL and CTL are CASE machines but the rotary dial should be the lights. The phone charger plug is at the bottom of the left front column under (by under I mean under the column you will see the 12v phone charger receptical) the windshield wiper switch. I have never added additional lights but there are numerous block outs on the left column to add additional buttons. Going from the left column to the fuse box is easy since all the switches are powered in the same way.
 

CMC76

Active Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2019
Messages
42
Location
Wisconsin
Couple observations as I have been using it on weekends with a bucket and root grapple.
- I hit all the grease fittings, including track tension. How critical is getting the tension dead on? How many hours between checking?
- I replaced the drive oil with amsoil. Pleased I found no chips or chunks. Looked pretty decent.
- operating temps and fuel consumption seem good.
- I did notice boom lift under heavy load was very reluctant until I give it more throttle by foot . but that seems normal.
- suspension seat seems to not work. Is that an air or nitrogen filled damper by right leg?
 

KSSS

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Feb 27, 2005
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Idaho
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excavation
On checking on the tension, I run mine more loose, and I never have detracked a CNH machine except when I had a bearing go out on the front roller once. I watch for the sag in the tracks when it is parked. Too much sag and I tighten up, I have had to do that very infrequently. I would not over think it. These machines are very difficult to detrack and the more loose you can run the track (within reason of course) the easier it is on shedding rock out of the track and easier it is on the components.

Keep the drive oil fresh, like every 150 hours, make sure your using the correct weight. I like Amsoil, but I use what CNH calls for in the drives, perhaps not totally necessary but I don't want to take the chance.

The air seat is air not nitrogen. you push in the button under the seat and you should hear the compressor building up air and the seat rising. A mechanical seat is standard, so confirm you have the air ride option. If you have the air seat you should also have a heated seat (very nice).

The use of the throttle on heavy loads sounds about right to what I see.
 

CMC76

Active Member
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Mar 16, 2019
Messages
42
Location
Wisconsin
I do have the heated seat. I figured the linkage just beside the right leg was some kind of damper.
I'll look for the button for it. I didnt figure it would have onboard air to fill it.
 

Shimmy1

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Aug 14, 2014
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4,258
Location
North Dakota
KSSS, have a friend that bought a NH wheeled skid last fall. How exactly do you switch patterns? We couldn't find the manual, but I tried about everything I could think of to get it to switch. Turn power on, don't start, hold switch. Start machine, hold switch. Start machine, activate controls, set brake, hold switch, nothing. When we were holding switch, we tried anywhere from 10 to 45 seconds.
 

KSSS

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Feb 27, 2005
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4,319
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Idaho
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Turn the machine on with the button but don't hit the start button. Hold the rocker in the direction of the pattern you want for a couple seconds, release and it should stay lite. Then hit the button to start the engine. The pattern changer will not work if the aux. roller switch is locked in the on position. You also cant switch patterns if the machine is running.
 

KSSS

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The biggest issue I see is the rocker being in the locked position if the changer doesn't change.
 

Shimmy1

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So, you're saying the switch must be in the center position before powering up? I thought it was always in the center position, but I'll check next time I get over there.
 

CMC76

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Mar 16, 2019
Messages
42
Location
Wisconsin
I haven't switched mine as i prefer H pattern. But I know on bobcat units you can swutch between if you are in lockout while running.
 

KSSS

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Feb 27, 2005
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4,319
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Idaho
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So, you're saying the switch must be in the center position before powering up? I thought it was always in the center position, but I'll check next time I get over there.

Yes, it should be in the center, not push forward or down in the detent position.
 

KSSS

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Your right, the NH is left, right, and CASE is up down.
 

rondig

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fort macleod alberta
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I really like my nh c227...it is the smallest nh ctl...DO NOT wet cab on nh there is i computer under your feet. 3500 bucks to replace
 

CMC76

Active Member
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Mar 16, 2019
Messages
42
Location
Wisconsin
So the suspension seat does in fact pump up. Actually allot more comfortable. Ill have to do some investigating because if I get out of the machine and back in. Needs to be pumped up again. I'm sure theres an air leak somewhere.
Ive got maybe 40 hours in the machine so far. Pleased. Does what i need and the root grapple works well.
I'm going to remove the light pods and switch to some better leds. Ive got a few cosmetic things id like done. And an oil change/ filter replacement.
The PDF manual I bought is more shop troubleshooting.
I'm guessing the users guide has oil types and capacities etc.
 

KSSS

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Location
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You must have a leak, mine will leak down after a day or two. Perhaps the most important thing to know right now in case you blow a hose on your grapple is that the hydraulic system takes 10-30 motor oil. It comes with a lighter green oil, but 10-30 is cheaper, compatible and easier to get. Also if it hasn't been done I would remove the remote oil drain and put a typical plug back in.
 

CMC76

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Mar 16, 2019
Messages
42
Location
Wisconsin
are you talking about the remote drain for the engine oil? the one routed under the battery?
 
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